Roosevelt Middle School

International Baccalaureate Magnet
Site Governance Team
May 26, 2009

Present: Carmen Garcia, Sandy Boe, Bobbe Abts, Debbie Christensen, Arlene Spaniol, Cheryl Wlodarski, Lucinda Bernadino, Fran Donovan, Stacy North, Allison Brown, Emma Ehrlich, Scott Lockwood, Jennifer Jay, Nelson Cortes, Shakerra Davis, Christina Schaefer, Marsha Dudley

Not In Attendance: Daniza Oviedo, Mary Diaz, Hilary Hager, ASB student, Rafeal O’Campo, Beverly Rambicure

The meeting was called to order @ 2:02 pm.

Wlodarski, as Science representative, wanted to make changes to the minutes.
[COMMENT FROM Mr. Croom and Ms. Miller: change last meeting’s minutes to correct that only 30% of 8th graders are failing Science versus Dr. Garcia’s stated 70% of 8th graders are failing.”]

Approval of 5/5/09 minutes motioned by Fran Donovan, Sandy Boe seconded.

A) REFLECTION ON IB FESTIVAL

• @ 2:29
• Ms. Boe says that teachers never got an agenda which would have made the event run smoother
• Mr. Cortez says that because he was stuck in the classroom with parents he didn’t get to see the second presentation.
• Mrs. Brown replies that it worked better having the performances at the beginning and the end instead of all at once because parents don’t want to leave the stage.
• Dr. Garcia says that she loved the turn out.
• SGT would like to revisit the passport idea.

B) HONORING RETIREES AT JUNE 2ND STAFF MEETING

Notes from 5/5/09 Meeting:

• Social Committee will create a retirement video.
• SGT, through Allison Brown, will look into “Star” plaques/statuettes.
• 3 teachers are retiring at this point. (Some may retire based on SDEA/SDCUSD agreement).
• Retirement celebration to be on-site, RMS, to be held at the last staff meeting, 6/2/09.

Notes added from 5/26/09 Meeting:

• Retirees include Janice Arvin, Diane Davis, Dorothy Robinson.
• It was confirmed that 7 additional teachers will be leaving Roosevelt:
• Retirees get big star, gift certificates, and maybe flowers.
• Vincente and Alma will get a small star. All other teachers being leaving will get key chains
• 1-3 years: key chain / 3-5 years: small star / beyond in years: large star
• Total cost $350
• Social committee will pay $300.
• SGT needs to find $50 to cover
• Social committee will do the breakfast for the retirees

C) SCHOOL-WIDE HOMEWORK POLICY

• @ 2:34
• Dr Garcia. This issue is a conversation for ILT. Students are confused by homework policy. Dr. Garcia would like to implement a common homework policy for teachers to abide to.
• Mrs. Ehrlich suggest to decide on a range by department or grade level at the next ILT meeting
• Mrs. Dudley suggests finding research on homework policy.
• Mr. Cortez suggests that we need more time to discuss the issue.
• Mrs. Dudley reflects on a portfolio presentation from an 8th grade student regarding homework.
• Mrs. Abts suggests sending an email regarding homework policies that are currently in place. Teachers can respond on their current practices and ILT use that information when making that decision.
• Mrs. Christensen suggests that we have a school wide grading policy.
• Mr. Lockwood suggest keeping in mind the quantitative range (grade percentage), quality of homework (type of assignments) and issue of communication (Web site) with families as we discuss this school-wide and perhaps come to consensus by department, as teams or as a school
• Ms. Donovan suggests that core subjects and electives give homework on separate days.
• Mrs. North gives an example of how teams staggered homework. In the past the homework policy was left to the separate teams. Can we go back to letting teams create the homework policy?
• Teachers suggest giving quality homework versus just giving a lot of homework.
• Dr. Garcia commented that ILT has decided that all teachers will be using Zangle Gradebook.
• Mrs. Jay comments about moodle access
• Issues to be discussed at the next staff meeting (each teacher or team post a page on the website, teams discuss homework ranges, all teachers use gradebook)?
• Mrs. Cortes asks about how teams will be established, how many GATE students will be on each team.

D) DISCIPLINE @ 3:07

• Mrs. Ehrlich comments about students who are constantly using curse words.
• Dr. Garcia comments that home contracts will be used sparingly
• Mrs. Dudley comments about why students who are failing cannot be sent home on contract when they misbehave. They need to be given the chance to be successful. Only chance here is if parent gives consent.
• Mrs. Bernardino comments about students out of uniform in 4th period.

E) NO PARKING LOT ISSUES

Meeting adjourned at 3:33 pm.